Paragon

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A companion; a match; an equal. [Obs.] Spenser. Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister. Sir P. Sidney.

2. Emulation; rivalry; competition. [Obs.] Full many feats adventurous Performed, in paragon of proudest men. Spenser.

3. A model or pattern; a pattern of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. Udall. Man, . . . the paragon of animals ! Shak. The riches of sweet Mary's son, Boy-rabbi, Israel's paragon. Emerson.

4. A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

2. To compare with; to equal; to rival. [R.] Spenser. In arms anon to paragon the morn, The morn new rising. Glover.

3. To serve as a model for; to surpass. [Obs.] He hath achieved a maid That paragons description and wild fame. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To be equal; to hold comparison. [R.] Few or none could . . . paragon with her. Shelton.